HARNESSING ARAPUNI.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1921, Page 7

HARNESSING ARAPUNI.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME, COST FIVE MILLIONS. |S The proposal to produce electric power from Awapuni was recently referred to by the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates. The Minister said he could not say anything definite yet, in regard to the suitability or otherwise of the site. The report of the commission that visited Arapuni and investigated the question, had been promised to him by the end of March. The scheme meant an expenditure of £5,000,000, tbe head works alone involving £1,500,000. Therefore, it was of the utmost importance that when tlfey did sink £1,500,000 —and there were the transmission lines besides—they did so with every possible assurance of success. A production of 44,000 horse-power was involved, and they must be perfectly satisfied that everything would be done sensibly and well from an engineering standpoint. If there proved to be any doubt about Arapuni, thep the Government had other proposals to make. They would probably have to go to Aratiatia if Arapuni was considered of no use. He was going to be guided by the engineers, who knew their job, and in whom be had every confidence. If Arapuni was considered suitable the Government would announce its programme, and if not, it would bring down its alternative proposal to provide for south Auckland, and possibly a portion of Auckland too. What was being done was to get ready a scheme of works, which he proposed to let the country know all about, and to go ahead with this scheme according to the ability of The country to pay for it.